Published Date September 2014, Vol.47:152–164,doi:10.1016/j.simpat.2014.06.001 Title Modelling of food security in Malaysia
Author
B.K. Bala,
E.F. Alias
Fatimah M. Arshad
K.M. Noh
A.H.A. Hadi
Institute of Agricultural and Food Policy Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Received 16 December 2013. Revised 24 April 2014. Accepted 2 June 2014. Available online 5 July 2014.
Highlights
. We developed a system dynamics model to predict rice food security in Malaysia.
. We explored different policy options for self sufficiency in rice in Malaysia.
. The dominant path to achieve targeted rice self sufficiency in Malaysia is identified.
. This model can aid in scenario planning for rice self sufficiency policy options.
Abstract
Food security policy in Malaysia is largely about ensuring the availability, accessibility and utilization of rice to the society. To this end, three policy objectives were set since 1970s, namely: to ensure high price to paddy farmers to produce rice, to achieve a certain level of self-sufficiency in rice and to ensure a stable and high quality of rice to the consumers. To ensure these three-pronged objectives are met, the government has embarked on a protectionist regime to ensure the sector is insulated from the market vagaries particularly supply and price shocks. The instruments implemented include; price control (farm and retail), subsidies and income transfer, licensing and import monopoly. The interventions are deep and extensive in that the industry is highly distorted and begun to show some rigidities and inefficiencies. After the successful Green Revolution in the 1970s, paddy productivity has been slowing down in terms of annual rate of change. By 1990s, the chemical intensive culture introduced by the Green Revolution had started taking a toll. Evidences of reduction of soil fertility and water quality were rampant. While the other parts of the world are experiencing technological advances in paddy farming, Malaysia’s farmers remain conventional in their practices due to poor extension services. Hence, this study attempts to rectify these problematic and complex situation by proposing the need for more R&D (Research and Development) for higher yielding varieties, application of bio-fertilisers and new approach of extension (through farmer field schools). Towards these ends, the study has adopted the system dynamics methodology to capture the circular causality between variables in the paddy and rice system as well as delays and non-linearities. The findings suggest that gradual transition to bio-fertilizers, funding for R&D for development of high yielding hybrid rice and increasing the cropping intensity hold big promise towards productivity enhancement. The promotion of training and extension services using participatory approach of learning by doing or the farmer field schools is desirable to reduce the productivity gaps.
A man looking at his physique in the mirror while putting on a shirt.Photo Credit Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Blend Images/Getty Images
Reading the information available about the importance of healthy eating clearly illustrates the benefits and importance of a nutritious diet. You are convinced that a diet cleanup is in order, and in theory, it sounds great -- until you realize that many of your favorite foods are now off the table. That's when it becomes daunting. Seeing results can mitigate some of that dread and encourage you to continue along the path to better nutrition -- and you don't have to wait months to see noticeable effects. While some benefits take longer to appear than others, you'll notice certain benefits almost immediately.
Immediate
When you begin eating healthy, you'll feel certain changes immediately. Giving up high-calorie, fat-laden foods will make you feel less heavy and bloated after a meal, and you may experience fewer incidences of indigestion when you eat smaller portions. Choosing whole grains over refined carbs will help keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day, so you may experience less of a mid-afternoon slump. Because you'll be feeding your body usable nutrients instead of empty calories, you may notice an increase in energy and alertness.
Next
Within a few days to a few weeks, you may notice a decrease in water retention and bloating as the high water and fiber content of a healthy diet kicks in. You may notice a small drop in weight, and your energy levels will increase as your vitamin supply becomes fully stocked. Choosing and preparing the right foods will become easier, and you may find yourself enjoying and even craving healthy foods. Your junk food cravings may fade. Your new lighter feeling and increased energy levels may increase your desire to move, and you'll find yourself looking forward to a daily workout.
Soon
After a few months, your weight may be noticeably lower, and extra pounds may continue to drop at a slow but steady rate. High blood pressure may decrease, and cholesterol levels may drop. Your skin will look better from the constant influx of vitamins, minerals and water, and you may notice a decrease in appetite. Food can go from being a focal point in your life to just a way to fuel your body. You may notice less joint pain as your reduced weight requires less effort to move around. Healthy eating goes from being a diet to being a way of life.
Eventually
If you keep at it, you'll notice what a pleasure it is to use your muscles. Lean protein feeds your muscle fibers without weighing you down with excess fat, so simple tasks like carrying groceries won't be as difficult. Your new lower weight remains steady because you are only giving your body what it needs and no more. Your higher energy levels and nourished body make exercise a stress-reducing escape rather than a chore, and improved alertness and mental clarity allow you to be more productive because you can finally focus on the task at hand. Your risk of chronic disease is lowered, and you may begin to look, move and feel younger than you are.
Cinnamon sticks on a plate.Photo Credit Getideaka/iStock/Getty Images
Overview
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. As of 2010, 23.6 million people live with diabetes, and there are 1.6 million new cases each year. Diabetes is a disease affecting blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Doctors and nutritionists advocate controlling type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise.
Cinnamon
According to a study published in the May 2006 edition of the "European Journal of Clinical Investigation," cinnamon can control blood sugar levels due to its stimulating action on the digestive tract.
There are several ways to add cinnamon to the diet. Sprinkle some in your coffee grounds prior to brewing--it adds a slight spicy taste to the coffee, and balances the blood sugar at the start of the day. Adding 1/4 tsp. to oatmeal or soup twice daily is another way to lower blood sugar.
Natural Sugars
Some sweeteners have relatively low-glycemic levels for those at risk for diabetes, or those with a diabetes diagnosis. Low-glycemic foods eliminate blood sugar spikes and crashes that can be dangerous for diabetics and pre-diabetics.
Agave nectar, made from the agave cactus, is an example of a relatively low-glycemic sweetener. Many people switch to agave nectar as their choice of sweetener because it mixes well in tea and coffee, and also works well in baking.
Another alternative sweetener is stevia. According to the Stevia website, Stevia is an all-natural supplement used as a sweetener that has been around as a sugar substitute since World War II. Made from the stevia plant, it is known for its sweetness and use in controlling blood sugar.
Peony
"The Essential Herbs Handbook" notes that the Japanese call the peony the "food of dragons" and eat it as a vegetable. The beautiful fragrant red blossom of the peony have been used as a medicine for 2,000 years. Named for the Greek god Paeon, physician to the gods, peony flowers are dried and ground into powder used for balancing blood sugar.
Whole fruits are part of clean eating.Photo Credit GANCINO/iStock/Getty Images
When you commit to clean eating, you commit to consuming food that’s as close to its natural state as possible, such as eating whole grains instead of refined grain products or choosing a fresh fish fillet instead of frozen fish sticks. At the same time, "The Everything Eating Clean Cookbook” says to focus on portion sizes, avoid sugars and sweeteners and combine healthy fats, protein and carbs at every meal. Whether you have the luxury of eating at home every day or you have to pack a lunch for school or work, take these ideas to heart to clean up your diet and enjoy a more natural way of eating.
Winning Salads
Salad with avocado and fresh vegetables.Photo Credit RafalStachura/iStock/Getty Images
It makes sense that a salad would fulfill the very definition of a clean eating lunch, but sometimes the ingredients -- such as bottled salad dressing -- can stray from the intent of the diet. Keep your lunches lively and interesting by thinking outside the box, as a green salad day after day gets tedious. “Eating Well” magazine recommends a Southwestern salad, made with greens, black beans, corn and grape tomatoes, topped with a homemade avocado-lime dressing. If you’re taking this salad to work, pack the greens, toppings and dressing separately to avoid sogginess
Hearty Grains
Loaf of whole wheat bread.Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
A grain-based lunch can be filling and hearty, but steer clear of enriched, refined versions such as white pasta, bread or rice. "The Everything Eating Clean Cookbook" suggests whole grains such as whole-wheat bread and pasta, quinoa, bulgur and millet. Take a suggestion from “Eating Well” and combine whole-wheat couscous -- a type of pasta -- with fresh fruit and grilled salmon or chicken for a light lunch. You can also have bulgur with a legume, such as lentils, for a vegetarian lunch that still packs protein and fiber.
Some Like It Hot
Turkey roll ups.Photo Credit MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images
Sometimes a meal just doesn’t feel like a meal if it’s not hot. One of the simplest clean lunches is eating leftovers from your clean dinner the night before. If your family devoured the meal, though, you can make up a nutritious dish at the beginning of the week and eat it just for lunch. For example, “Clean Eating” magazine suggests pasta roll-ups filled with turkey and spinach. Make them by boiling whole-wheat lasagna noodles and then filling with lean turkey, fresh spinach and tomato sauce. Check for added sugar or salt. Then roll it up.
When clean eating becomes a family affair, don’t neglect your child’s preferences while packing his lunch box. “Clean Eating” magazine offers child-friendly lunches that manage to eschew added salt, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients while still appealing to kids' tastes. For example, fill a quesadilla not only with creamy ricotta cheese but also chicken and spinach for a finger food full of protein and fiber. Kids who love burgers might enjoy a slider made with lean ground turkey on a whole-wheat miniature bun.
Three girls eating lunch in a school cafeteria.Photo Credit Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images
The federal government has a variety of rules and regulations that apply to school lunches. These mandates are designed to make sure that healthy lunches are available in school, but in reality, what ends up on a child’s plate isn’t always nutritious. A junk meal or two won’t have a permanent impact on a child, but eating unhealthy lunches for years can take a seriously negative toll on both mental and physical health.
Lunch Standards
In early 2012, the U.S. government updated the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Changes included counting fruits and vegetables as separate meal groups, offering fruit every day, making half of grain choices whole grains, giving different grades different meal sizes and reducing sodium and trans fat in meals. However, not all schools implement the NSLP and not all students eat the healthier choices schools do provide.
Obesity and Other Weight Issues
One major risk of unhealthy school lunches is a contribution to obesity and other weight problems in children across the nation. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, about a third of kids and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese. Even if the government regulates the number of calories a child’s school lunch has, as it does with the NSLP, many schools allow children to purchase a la carte foods on top of the lunch that are calorie-rich and high in fat, sodium, sugar or all three.
Physical Effects
Effects of poor nutrition from school lunches go beyond weight gain. A child who eats too much fat, sugar, sodium or processed food and too few vitamins and minerals is likely to develop a higher risk over time for several chronic health problems. These might include diabetes, kidney stones, bone loss, cancer and heart disease. Active kids who need more calories than the federal limits are also at risk, and may end up feeling weak, fatigued or nauseous during sports and exercise.
Mental Effects
Proper nutrition is also tied to better academic performance, so kids who eat unhealthy lunches are more likely to score lower on tests and have a harder time with schoolwork. There are long-term effects as well. According to a 2012 article written by registered dietitian Timi Gustafson, not getting enough essential nutrients at meals may lower kids’ IQ scores, memory capacities, fine motor skills, social skills and languages skills into early adulthood and beyond. A child’s poor dietary habits can even influence his sleep patterns, which may have an effect on cognitive behaviors and academic abilities. According to the results of a research review published in 2004 in the "British Journal of Nutrition," children who are micronutrient-deficient may exhibit more aggressiveness, less mental endurance and lower intelligence test scores.
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Health-care professionals recommend physical activity as a key ingredient to any stress-management initiative. They suggest that playing sports and getting regular exercise can calm your worries and clear your mind, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American. And it’s not just veteran athletes who achieve these feel-good moments — even people who are out of shape can feel tension start to subside as they understand how participating in a sport relieves stress. As with any fitness program, seek your doctor’s advice as you get started.
Endorphins
Pumping up a sweat releases mood-boosting hormones inside the brain called endorphins that swirl through your system and generate a buoyant feeling. This optimistic rush is nicknamed the “runner’s high,” but it’s felt among participants of many sports including tennis, hiking and basketball. The upbeat aftermath of one aerobic exercise session can last up to 90 to 120 minutes, the American Council on Exercise says.
Tension Buildup
Electrical activity that’s recorded in tensed muscles shows a decrease after a workout, according to the American Council on Exercise. Medical researchers also report noticeable drops in individual cases of hyperactivity and jitters in the aftermath of exercise. Taking up a sport can relax blood vessels, reducing heart rates and blood pressure that often accompany worry. The fight-or-flight response in challenging situations can cause a buildup of stress and glucose in your body. The American Diabetes Association recommends taking up a sport — whether it’s ballroom dancing or bicycling — to help your body more effectively process the tension.
Diversion
Participation in a recreational sport relieves stress by drawing your concentration toward your activity and away from that pile of responsibilities waiting for you at home and at work. As you swing your racquetball racket or paddle your kayak, you focus on your body’s movements and temporarily forget about your other stress points. This diversion acts like a form of meditation. People who routinely engage in sports often experience a sense of accomplishment after a workout, and this soaring self confidence also can melt tension.
Wholesome Habits
Workouts push you to adopt other healthy behaviors. Your indoor soccer league or evening hoops game encourages you to consume nutritious meals, snacks and beverages. Those rounds of touch football and weekend nature hikes help you shed pounds. Sleep disturbances often are linked to tension and anxiety, and sports participation improves your nightly bedtime routine. As you conquer each of these healthy changes, your body continues to achieve overall fitness and becomes more effective at handling your stress levels.
The sudden death of a loved one can cause you to experience negative feelings associated with acute psychosocial stress.Photo Credit stress image by Andrii IURLOV from Fotolia.com
Biologists explain stress as a negative feeling you experience when your body does not appropriately respond to a threat. Psychosocial stress refers to a specific type you experience that originates from any type of interaction with people. Stress may manifest itself in many different ways, such as high blood pressure, sweating, rapid heart beat, dizziness and feelings of irritability or sadness. Causes of psychological stress, called psychological stressors, can be classified as chronic or acute.
Acute Present Stressors
Psychosocial stress can be caused by upsetting events that happened to you recently. Examples of these current stressful instances include a recent natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane in your area, or a sudden health problem in yourself or someone you love. The National Institutes of Health state that if you come down with a terrible illness or a loved one dies in an accident, acute psychosocial stress can occur. Monumental events such as a pregnancy, breakup or divorce can also induce serious psychosocial stress.
Acute Past Stressors
While current upsetting events certainly place stress on you, events from your past can also still affect you throughout your life. The Initiative Exposure Biology Program published an article in 2006 titled "Field-Deployable Tools for Quantifying Exposures to Psychosocial Stress" that illustrates the importance of screening people about events in their lifetime that could have had a stressful impact on them, such as child abuse, bullying, violence, or trauma like a war or earthquake.
Chronic Stressors
Often, psychosocial stress is not caused by single events, but by ongoing problems. The Modified Life Events Section of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview, used by doctors since 1977, is a series of questions designed to assess people's experiences and feelings. It asks about circumstances that could cause ongoing stress, such as war, discrimination, violence, illness or poverty. It also includes family problems, such as caring for a an ailing parent or disabled child, as chronic psychosocial stressors.
A woman is getting her hand massaged.Photo Credit AndreyPopov/iStock/Getty Images
Overview
Jammed finger injuries range from mild sprains to dislocations. Many times a jammed finger occurs without showing symptoms other than pain. Even if you can move your finger, it can be jammed. Untreated jammed fingers can lead to arthritis or other debilitating conditions, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery. Jammed finger exercises involve simple stretching and strengthening that help rehabilitate and protect your hand from further injury. Check with your doctor prior to starting.
Wrist Maneuver
Strengthening your wrists will help your jammed finger, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery. Use either a one- or two-pound hand weight, can of soup or sock filled with beans for this exercise. Sit upright in a firm chair with arm rests. Place your injured-side arm onto the arm rest, palm facing up. Slide your arm so your wrist is unsupported, according to the National Institute on Aging. Place the weight into your injured-side palm. Slowly lower the weight downward while bending your wrist toward the floor. Hold this position for five seconds. Slowly lift the weight to the original position, with your wrist neutral. Relax for eight seconds. Gently and slower lift the weight toward the ceiling while bending your wrist upward. Hold this position for five seconds. Return your wrist and weight to the original position. Repeat this exercise two times.
Finger Flexing
Stretch your finger tendons by doing assisted finger stretches, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Sit upright in a firm chair. Bend your affected-side elbow at a 90-degree angle. Lift your injured hand, with your palm facing toward your body. Use your unaffected-side hand to gently bend your jammed finger toward your palm. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Gently and slowly return your finger to the original position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Assisted Finger Moving
Stretch your jammed finger tendons by doing an assisted finger bend, according to the National institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Start doing this exercise while in a splint. Bend your affected-side elbow at a 90-degree angle. Keep your elbow at your side. Use your unaffected-side hand to gently straighten your jammed finger toward the splint. Touch your fingertip to the splint, if possible. Hold this position for six seconds. Slowly return your affected finger to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise three times.
Finger Resistance
Strengthen your jammed finger muscles and tendons by doing a rubber band exercise, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery. Use a medium-width rubber band. Either stand or sit for this exercise. Place the rubber band around the tips of your affected-side fingers and thumb, according to the physical therapy business Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma. Lift your forearm so your elbow is at a 90-degree angle. Slowly spread your fingers apart as far as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly and gently return your fingers to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do this exercise 50 times daily. Set a goal of gradually doing 200 daily.
Diet plays a very important role when it comes to managing diabetes. Your food choices, the amount of food you eat and the timing of your meals, all affect your blood sugar. A 1,500-calorie diabetic diet is a lower calorie diet that can help small women who exercise, small or medium-sized women who want to lose weight, and medium-sized women who don't exercise to better manage their blood sugars. A woman starting to eat a fresh saladPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
Diabetic Diet Basics
A healthy, 1,500-calorie diabetic meal plan should include a variety of foods from all of the food groups. To keep calories under control and make sure you get all the nutrients you need, eat a set number of servings from each group each day. Evenly distributing your food choices between three meals and three snacks can help you control blood sugar.
The 1,500-Calorie Meal Plan
A balanced 1,500-calorie diabetic meal plan includes six servings of starches, three servings of fruit, three servings of milk, four servings of non-starchy vegetables, six servings of meat and four servings of fat per day. One serving of starch equals one slice of bread or one-third cup cooked rice; one serving of fruit equals one small piece of fresh fruit or one-half-cup canned fruit; one serving of milk equals 1 cup of milk or 1 cup of light yogurt; one serving of non-starchy vegetable equals one-half-cup cooked or 1-cup raw; one serving of meat equals 1 ounce of cooked meat and one serving of fat equals 1 teaspoon of oil or butter.
Breakfast
A balanced breakfast consists of one serving of starch, fruit, milk, meat and fat. A sample meal might include one-half of a small bagel topped with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter and one-half of a banana sliced, served with 1 cup of nonfat milk and a hard-boiled egg.
Midmorning Snack
Your mid-morning snack should include one serving of fruit. One small orange or 2 tablespoons of raisins are healthy options.
Lunch
For lunch, include two servings of starch, two servings of meat, one serving of vegetable and one serving of fat. A healthy lunch idea for your 1,500-calorie diabetic meal plan might include an entree salad made with 2 cups of mixed greens topped with 2 ounces of chopped chicken and 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing, and served with 2 cups of a broth-based soup such as vegetable or chicken noodle.
Afternoon Snack
One serving of milk at your afternoon snack keeps energy up and blood sugar steady. Good options might include a sugar-free cappuccino made with 1 cup of nonfat milk or one container of light yogurt.
Dinner
Dinner consists of three servings of meat, two servings of starch, three servings of vegetables, one serving of fruit and two servings of fat. A sample meal might include 3 ounces of grilled salmon with 1 cup of roasted red potatoes tossed with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 cup of steamed broccoli, 1 cup of mixed greens topped with 2 tablespoons of low-fat salad dressing and 1 1 /4 cups of fresh strawberries.
Evening Snack
Finish your day with a healthy evening snack consisting of one serving of starch and one serving of milk. Sample snack options include three-quarter cup of unsweetened whole-grain cold cereal with 1 cup of nonfat milk or five whole wheat crackers with one container of light yogurt.
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products 2012 v.70 no.5 pp. 705-709
Abstract
The Influence of hydrothermal treatment on bond shear strength of beech (Fagus orientalis) wood specimens was studied. Wood samples were treated in a reactor at temperatures of 130 and 150 ∘C for a holding time of 30 minutes. For determining the bond shear strength in treated woods, wood blocks were bonded with urea formaldehyde, polyvinyl acetate and epoxy. Shear strength parallel to the grain of wood samples was also measured. Density, shrinkage, pH, contact angle and water absorption of the treated and untreated wood blocks were determined. Results showed a reduction in bond shear strength and shear strength parallel to grain due to hydrothermal treatment. The density, shrinkage and the contact angle of treated wood blocks increased; however the water absorption and the pH were reduced by applying temperature treatment.
